Should I dose Kalk even if no SPS?

jiminy_crime · 04/03/2016, 05:23 PM

I have the desire to create parameters that are more consistent in my tank using Kalk vs dosing B-Ionic. Also like the idea of a drip system that reduces the daily dosing to every 2 or 3 days. Also wanting to boost the coralline in my tank as well.

I currently only have some frogspawn and bubble coral that have a need for the calcium and am wondering if dosing Kalk still makes sense or should I just stick with B-Ionic and daily dosing? I do plan to move into SPS at some point and want to have a tank that is ready when that time comes.

Thanks for any input.

toothybugs · 04/03/2016, 06:40 PM

Kalk is a basic/ baseline way to keep your calcium and alkalinity up for stonies. If you need it, go for it, but also be aware you don't have to run saturated kalk solution in your ATO - perfect case is my own system, I add just a half tablespoon of kalk to my 10gal ATO and it's keeping my system running at 7.3 / 425 very nicely.

MondoBongo · 04/03/2016, 06:53 PM

kalk is a great way to supplement calcium and alkalinity, so if you find you're having to take steps to supplement those levels, yes you should use it.

when i was dosing kalk i did not put it in my top off though. i ran it through its own dosing pump, a brs 1.1ml to be specific, so i could control how much kalk was dosed independent of my top off.

if you want to run it in your ato for simplicity though, toothybugs has it right. you likely won't need fully saturated mix, so start low and raise slowly while testing accordingly to track how much you need to use. then once you get your amount set, track your alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium about once a week and adjust as needed.

i liked kalk a lot. very convenient to work with and does a great job. i just started needing more than it could provide, which isn't a bad problem to have at all.

jiminy_crime · 04/03/2016, 07:34 PM

I want to start of with a Montipora and work up from there but I have been up and running for 6 months on my new tank and am struggling to get coralline to grow on the back of the tank. I was told that a good sign your tank parameters are consistent and ready for more difficult corals is when coralline becomes a nuisance on the the glass panes. I have dosed B-Ionic daily and PurpleUp once a week and have yet to see coralline do much of anything. The rocks have some but it came in on the rock.

Any advice on what I could be doing wrong? Could I be precipitating the calcium out of the tank somehow and not be aware I am doing so? My stats are as follows:

Currently dose with B-Ionic and have yet to begin Kalk although I have some ready to begin dosing but am a bit apprehensive about it. I plan to drip it separately from ATO that I have to prevent over dosing with ATO. I have a smaller system and am afraid I could over dose with my ATO.

dKH: 11
Calcium 500
PH: 8.1
PO4: Undetectable
Mg: 1350
Nitrates: undetectable
(Vodka dosing)
Salinity: 1.025
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0

I switched to 2 Kessil 360WE from Current Orbit Marine LEDs 2 weeks ago so am hoping the light source will help drive the coralline a little better.

moatdaddy · 04/03/2016, 08:19 PM

I found my corraline ate more mag than calcium or alkalinity. So its good to test as stuff grows.

04/03/2016, 05:23 PM	#1
jiminy_crime Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bixby, OK Posts: 981	Should I dose Kalk even if no SPS? I have the desire to create parameters that are more consistent in my tank using Kalk vs dosing B-Ionic. Also like the idea of a drip system that reduces the daily dosing to every 2 or 3 days. Also wanting to boost the coralline in my tank as well. I currently only have some frogspawn and bubble coral that have a need for the calcium and am wondering if dosing Kalk still makes sense or should I just stick with B-Ionic and daily dosing? I do plan to move into SPS at some point and want to have a tank that is ready when that time comes. Thanks for any input. __________________ 1.025 SG/High-pH 8.021 Low-pH 8.00/9-9.3dKh/Ca 440/Mg 1280/Temp 78.5/NO3 .25 ppm/PO4 0/ORP 380 Current Tank Info: 91 gallon RSR 350/RO 152s protein skimmer/36” ATI Dimmable/Neptune WAV/Neptune Apex

04/03/2016, 06:53 PM	#3
MondoBongo Obligate Feeder Obsessed Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,061	kalk is a great way to supplement calcium and alkalinity, so if you find you're having to take steps to supplement those levels, yes you should use it. when i was dosing kalk i did not put it in my top off though. i ran it through its own dosing pump, a brs 1.1ml to be specific, so i could control how much kalk was dosed independent of my top off. if you want to run it in your ato for simplicity though, toothybugs has it right. you likely won't need fully saturated mix, so start low and raise slowly while testing accordingly to track how much you need to use. then once you get your amount set, track your alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium about once a week and adjust as needed. i liked kalk a lot. very convenient to work with and does a great job. i just started needing more than it could provide, which isn't a bad problem to have at all. __________________ [Citation Needed] "You don't use science to show that you're right, you use science to become right" - xkcd Current Tank Info: A rectangular shaped money pit.

04/03/2016, 07:34 PM	#4
jiminy_crime Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bixby, OK Posts: 981	I want to start of with a Montipora and work up from there but I have been up and running for 6 months on my new tank and am struggling to get coralline to grow on the back of the tank. I was told that a good sign your tank parameters are consistent and ready for more difficult corals is when coralline becomes a nuisance on the the glass panes. I have dosed B-Ionic daily and PurpleUp once a week and have yet to see coralline do much of anything. The rocks have some but it came in on the rock. Any advice on what I could be doing wrong? Could I be precipitating the calcium out of the tank somehow and not be aware I am doing so? My stats are as follows: Currently dose with B-Ionic and have yet to begin Kalk although I have some ready to begin dosing but am a bit apprehensive about it. I plan to drip it separately from ATO that I have to prevent over dosing with ATO. I have a smaller system and am afraid I could over dose with my ATO. dKH: 11 Calcium 500 PH: 8.1 PO4: Undetectable Mg: 1350 Nitrates: undetectable (Vodka dosing) Salinity: 1.025 Ammonia 0 Nitrite 0 I switched to 2 Kessil 360WE from Current Orbit Marine LEDs 2 weeks ago so am hoping the light source will help drive the coralline a little better. __________________ 1.025 SG/High-pH 8.021 Low-pH 8.00/9-9.3dKh/Ca 440/Mg 1280/Temp 78.5/NO3 .25 ppm/PO4 0/ORP 380 Current Tank Info: 91 gallon RSR 350/RO 152s protein skimmer/36” ATI Dimmable/Neptune WAV/Neptune Apex

04/03/2016, 06:40 PM	#2
toothybugs In Memoriam Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: The smallest county in Illinois Posts: 1,986	Kalk is a basic/ baseline way to keep your calcium and alkalinity up for stonies. If you need it, go for it, but also be aware you don't have to run saturated kalk solution in your ATO - perfect case is my own system, I add just a half tablespoon of kalk to my 10gal ATO and it's keeping my system running at 7.3 / 425 very nicely.

04/03/2016, 08:19 PM	#5
moatdaddy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Panama City beach florida Posts: 848	I found my corraline ate more mag than calcium or alkalinity. So its good to test as stuff grows.